used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Only when we were carried across some strait or river, did they bind us so unmercifully tight, and this did not happen often, nor last long.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
in addition
From this reading When, also, they allowed us to smoke pipes, they held them with both hands, or fastened to the mouth-pieces wooden balls of the size of hen's eggs, for they seemed to imagine that if we were not restrained, we would choke ourselves with them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
move towards
From this reading Our conductors were very careful of us, and carried their caution and watchfulness so far, that for a long time they would not suffer us to approach the shore.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
ballsnounUS /bɔːlz/
plural of “ball” — round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading When, also, they allowed us to smoke pipes, they held them with both hands, or fastened to the mouth-pieces wooden balls of the size of hen's eggs, for they seemed to imagine that if we were not restrained, we would choke ourselves with them.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
for the reason that
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
bindverbUS /baɪnd/
stick to firmly
From this reading Only when we were carried across some strait or river, did they bind us so unmercifully tight, and this did not happen often, nor last long.
the two together, not just one
From this reading When, also, they allowed us to smoke pipes, they held them with both hands, or fastened to the mouth-pieces wooden balls of the size of hen's eggs, for they seemed to imagine that if we were not restrained, we would choke ourselves with them.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading Our conductors were very careful of us, and carried their caution and watchfulness so far, that for a long time they would not suffer us to approach the shore.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Only when we were carried across some strait or river, did they bind us so unmercifully tight, and this did not happen often, nor last long.
cautionnounUS /ˈkɑːʃən/
the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger
From this reading Our conductors were very careful of us, and carried their caution and watchfulness so far, that for a long time they would not suffer us to approach the shore.
chokeverbUS /tʃoʊk/
breathe with great difficulty, as when experiencing a strong emotion
From this reading When, also, they allowed us to smoke pipes, they held them with both hands, or fastened to the mouth-pieces wooden balls of the size of hen's eggs, for they seemed to imagine that if we were not restrained, we would choke ourselves with them.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
conductorsnounUS /kənˈdʌktərz/
plural of “conductor” — the person who leads a musical group
From this reading Our conductors were very careful of us, and carried their caution and watchfulness so far, that for a long time they would not suffer us to approach the shore.
permission to do something
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
degreesnounUS /dɪˈɡriːz/
plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Only when we were carried across some strait or river, did they bind us so unmercifully tight, and this did not happen often, nor last long.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food
From this reading When, also, they allowed us to smoke pipes, they held them with both hands, or fastened to the mouth-pieces wooden balls of the size of hen's eggs, for they seemed to imagine that if we were not restrained, we would choke ourselves with them.
divisible by two
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Our conductors were very careful of us, and carried their caution and watchfulness so far, that for a long time they would not suffer us to approach the shore.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading When, also, they allowed us to smoke pipes, they held them with both hands, or fastened to the mouth-pieces wooden balls of the size of hen's eggs, for they seemed to imagine that if we were not restrained, we would choke ourselves with them.
provide as food
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Our conductors were very careful of us, and carried their caution and watchfulness so far, that for a long time they would not suffer us to approach the shore.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
come to pass
From this reading Only when we were carried across some strait or river, did they bind us so unmercifully tight, and this did not happen often, nor last long.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading When, also, they allowed us to smoke pipes, they held them with both hands, or fastened to the mouth-pieces wooden balls of the size of hen's eggs, for they seemed to imagine that if we were not restrained, we would choke ourselves with them.
hen'snounUS /henz/
possessive form of “hen” — adult female chicken
From this reading When, also, they allowed us to smoke pipes, they held them with both hands, or fastened to the mouth-pieces wooden balls of the size of hen's eggs, for they seemed to imagine that if we were not restrained, we would choke ourselves with them.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading When, also, they allowed us to smoke pipes, they held them with both hands, or fastened to the mouth-pieces wooden balls of the size of hen's eggs, for they seemed to imagine that if we were not restrained, we would choke ourselves with them.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading When, also, they allowed us to smoke pipes, they held them with both hands, or fastened to the mouth-pieces wooden balls of the size of hen's eggs, for they seemed to imagine that if we were not restrained, we would choke ourselves with them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
immediately past
From this reading Only when we were carried across some strait or river, did they bind us so unmercifully tight, and this did not happen often, nor last long.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Only when we were carried across some strait or river, did they bind us so unmercifully tight, and this did not happen often, nor last long.
loosenedadjectiveUS /ˈluːsənd/
straightened out
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
mouth-pieces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, also, they allowed us to smoke pipes, they held them with both hands, or fastened to the mouth-pieces wooden balls of the size of hen's eggs, for they seemed to imagine that if we were not restrained, we would choke ourselves with them.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
necksnounUS /neks/
plural of “neck” — the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Only when we were carried across some strait or river, did they bind us so unmercifully tight, and this did not happen often, nor last long.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Only when we were carried across some strait or river, did they bind us so unmercifully tight, and this did not happen often, nor last long.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Only when we were carried across some strait or river, did they bind us so unmercifully tight, and this did not happen often, nor last long.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
and nothing more
From this reading Only when we were carried across some strait or river, did they bind us so unmercifully tight, and this did not happen often, nor last long.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Only when we were carried across some strait or river, did they bind us so unmercifully tight, and this did not happen often, nor last long.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
pipesnounUS /paɪps/
plural of “pipe” — a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading When, also, they allowed us to smoke pipes, they held them with both hands, or fastened to the mouth-pieces wooden balls of the size of hen's eggs, for they seemed to imagine that if we were not restrained, we would choke ourselves with them.
pleadedverbUS /ˈpliːdɪd/
past form of “plead” — appeal or request earnestly
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
reluctantadjectiveUS /rɪˈlʌktənt/
unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
restrainedadjectiveUS /riˈstreɪnd/
cool and formal in manner
From this reading When, also, they allowed us to smoke pipes, they held them with both hands, or fastened to the mouth-pieces wooden balls of the size of hen's eggs, for they seemed to imagine that if we were not restrained, we would choke ourselves with them.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Only when we were carried across some strait or river, did they bind us so unmercifully tight, and this did not happen often, nor last long.
ropesnounUS /roʊps/
plural of “rope” — a strong line
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading When, also, they allowed us to smoke pipes, they held them with both hands, or fastened to the mouth-pieces wooden balls of the size of hen's eggs, for they seemed to imagine that if we were not restrained, we would choke ourselves with them.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading Our conductors were very careful of us, and carried their caution and watchfulness so far, that for a long time they would not suffer us to approach the shore.
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading When, also, they allowed us to smoke pipes, they held them with both hands, or fastened to the mouth-pieces wooden balls of the size of hen's eggs, for they seemed to imagine that if we were not restrained, we would choke ourselves with them.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading When, also, they allowed us to smoke pipes, they held them with both hands, or fastened to the mouth-pieces wooden balls of the size of hen's eggs, for they seemed to imagine that if we were not restrained, we would choke ourselves with them.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Only when we were carried across some strait or river, did they bind us so unmercifully tight, and this did not happen often, nor last long.
straitnounUS /streɪt/
a narrow channel of the sea joining two larger bodies of water
From this reading Only when we were carried across some strait or river, did they bind us so unmercifully tight, and this did not happen often, nor last long.
undergo or be subjected to
From this reading Our conductors were very careful of us, and carried their caution and watchfulness so far, that for a long time they would not suffer us to approach the shore.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Our conductors were very careful of us, and carried their caution and watchfulness so far, that for a long time they would not suffer us to approach the shore.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When, also, they allowed us to smoke pipes, they held them with both hands, or fastened to the mouth-pieces wooden balls of the size of hen's eggs, for they seemed to imagine that if we were not restrained, we would choke ourselves with them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Only when we were carried across some strait or river, did they bind us so unmercifully tight, and this did not happen often, nor last long.
closely constrained or constricted or constricting
From this reading Only when we were carried across some strait or river, did they bind us so unmercifully tight, and this did not happen often, nor last long.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
unmercifullyadverb
without pity; in a merciless manner
From this reading Only when we were carried across some strait or river, did they bind us so unmercifully tight, and this did not happen often, nor last long.
untiedadjectiveUS /ənˈtaɪd/
not tied
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Only when we were carried across some strait or river, did they bind us so unmercifully tight, and this did not happen often, nor last long.
precisely as stated
From this reading Our conductors were very careful of us, and carried their caution and watchfulness so far, that for a long time they would not suffer us to approach the shore.
wadeverbUS /weɪd/
walk (through relatively shallow water)
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
watchfulnessnoun
the process of paying close and continuous attention
From this reading Our conductors were very careful of us, and carried their caution and watchfulness so far, that for a long time they would not suffer us to approach the shore.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Only when we were carried across some strait or river, did they bind us so unmercifully tight, and this did not happen often, nor last long.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
at the time that
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
in or at the place that
From this reading However, as we pleaded hard to be allowed to do so, because we could walk so much easier on the wet sand, they at last gave a reluctant consent, taking care to keep between us and the water, even where they were obliged to wade in it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading By degrees they loosened the ropes, which had been put round our necks, and when, after a time, a man of higher rank took the command of our party, he permitted our hands to be untied, so that we could feed ourselves.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When, also, they allowed us to smoke pipes, they held them with both hands, or fastened to the mouth-pieces wooden balls of the size of hen's eggs, for they seemed to imagine that if we were not restrained, we would choke ourselves with them.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading When, also, they allowed us to smoke pipes, they held them with both hands, or fastened to the mouth-pieces wooden balls of the size of hen's eggs, for they seemed to imagine that if we were not restrained, we would choke ourselves with them.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Our conductors were very careful of us, and carried their caution and watchfulness so far, that for a long time they would not suffer us to approach the shore.
